Outlines four major characteristics of adolescent social-cognitive development. Discusses their affect on the adolescent's ability to understand communication concepts and to deal with the classroom audience and particular types of topics, assignments, or exercises. Draws implications for secondary speech curriculum. (JMF)

A study explored a number of variables related to the health decision making of 43 ninth grade students from Montana and New York. Students filled out a questionnaire which had them first read a short drinking and driving scenario and then answer questions which asked them to: (1) make a decision; (2) report how long they would take to make their…